April 2006 Bandits January Challenge

[JulieNYC 4]

OK, maybe this link will work better (a thousand apologies again for the yahoo issues):

http://www.joyfulhandmades.com/JulieProgress.html

I had a tough food day today -- felt like eating the furniture. My cold is a lot better though, so I did make it to the gym and got an hour of cardio in.

Bigger news. I think I just took the plunge and signed up for my first race! It's a little aggressive, but I signed up for a 4 mile race exactly one month from tomorrow. I think I can do it, and I think it'll help me get back on track and stay focused for my mid-February goals.

Hope yall are doing well. Take care.

[Boo 3]

Julie, thanks for the photo! You are GORGEOUS! WOW!

Betty, the "two years" idea is from my doctor and also Dr. C. who posts on this site. I've also read in literature that the majority of the weight is gone the first year, but that there is continued weight-loss at a slower pace through year two. Supposedly, this is different from gastric bypass who lose it all very quickly.

Kat, thanks for the encouragement. Don't know if I'll do anything about it. (scared)

[JulieNYC 4]

My scale flashed on 229 today before settling on 230. I love the border of a new decade! Come on, 229! I can't wait until this time next month (or whenever) when I'm staring at the teens!

I had a great workout today. My run went really well -- lots of energy and enough left to do the rowing machine for a little while when my run was over and even a little bit of weights. It was a good gym day.

[bluehill 0]

Hooray, Julie! The 220s, that's a good decade, doncha think? Can't wait to be there myself. And signing up for a four-mile race, that's particularly noteworthy! You go fast, girl.

All the lifestyle changes reported here are so impressive, so inspirational, they make me weep with joy for all the healthy lives we're creating. HOORAY, US!

April 2006 Bandits January Challenge: FIVE days of exercise completed

[JulieNYC 4]

So, I have to go to court tomorrow (I'm a lawyer -- I think yall know that, but just in case, thought I throw that in). In my sub-specialty, I don't go to court that often -- maybe once or twice a month. Anyway, I remembered that last time I went to court (a couple of weeks before Christmas), my suit coat was really too big (size 18) and I'd been meaning to go through the closets yet again to weed out the things that are too big and find some coats that fit a little better.

I had a couple of size 14 coats in my "soon to fit" stack and was pleased that they fit so soon. Then I thought I'd better go through my LAST STACK of "too small" clothes for tops at least, because my top has really changed a lot in the last few weeks.

Anyway, when I first started law school (1999), I had lost 91 lbs doing Optifast and my Dad had bought me one really nice Ralph Lauren suit (12P) for moot court and interviewing that you do during your first year of school. I love that suit. LOVE IT. It has the prettiest neckline -- almost Japanese in feel.

I guess you see where I'm going with this. The suit coat fits. I'm wearing it tomorrow. I put it on as a lark. When I looked in the mirror and saw that it fit, really fit, this wave (tsunami) of emotion hit me and I sobbed like a baby for about 10 minutes. I've never cried in a weight loss journey before -- not on the way down, at least. I guess it's that this time, I truly believe that coat will always fit -- at least until it's too big, and then it will never fit again.

I love my band. Keep your fingers crossed that I don't cry in court tomorrow (just kidding)!

I do have a question though, if any of you know. The last time that coat fit, I weighed 175 lbs. I specifically remember gaining back to 190 and not being able to wear it anymore. How is my body that different this time? I weigh 50 lbs more than I did the last time that coat fit. I was a runner then too. The only thing I can think of is I strength train now too. Could that really be the only difference?

[Boo 3]

Great story, Julie! It can be your "lucky suit" for about three weeks until it is TOO SMALL!!

I have experienced exactly the same thing. I fit into some old "skinny" clothes that I wore at 140, twenty-five pounds less than I am now. My shape is different now, but can't figure out the difference in weight. Also, on the way up, I loathed myself at this weight. Right now, even though I weigh the same as I did just before delivering ALL of my babies, I feel fit and confident. Why is that??

Bluehill, I love to read your posts! You are a very eloquent, expressive writer.

Roberta, a HUGE thank you for inviting me to join this group back in September. I will always appreciate your help!

Susan, keep taking care of yourself and we will still be here when you can come back.

[Ceparano 0]

Wow Julie what a fantastic NSV!!! I am so happy for you. BTW, that is a very nice picture of you, thanks for sharing. I'm having trouble figuring out what size I am now. Some clothes I have from Talbot's size 18 are too big, and the 16's just about fit. In a womens size I need a 14 or 12. My Alfani suit I bought in September, size 16, is way too big now. I can't figure out why your coat would fit you at your present weight when it didn't when you weighed 190. Are you sure your scale is accurate? Sorry I'm no help.

Julie are you signed up for the 4 mile Snowflake race out of Long Beach?

Went to Curves this morning 45 mins. and did 2 miles with DH this afternoon on the boardwalk. It was such a beautiful day.

[Ceparano 0]

Boo, sorry to hear that you are having more problems resulting from your injury. Hope your able to get some relief.

Roberta

[Ceparano 0]

Hey Kat, that would be marvelous!! I think every Curves has someone like that, it just messes up your groove!!

Roberta

[Ceparano 0]

Susan you are missed, I hope your pinched nerve is doing better.

Roberta

[Kat817 19]

Hi all,

Julie--I would just hazzard a guess about the weight difference being from the muscle vs. fat issue as well as the fact that your bones etc. change when you are carrying all the extra weight. My former PCP told me that....but I don't know how much difference it would make. He told me that the BMI chart might not be as good of a way to decide my final goal, as watching my numbers (blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, etc.) and how I feel, that carrying a large amount of excess weight, permanently affects the density of our bones, and that our future weight will reflect that.

No one has mentioned it since, so I cannot tell you anything about the validity of the statement. Might be something to look into.

Meanwhile, wear the jacket with pride, and begin looking for a good tailor! Have it altered to fit you---you deserve it, as well as knowing your Dad gave it to you with pride. Way to go!!

Well today I got my time in, chopping wood!!! DH and I split wood. I am talking with an axe, full roundhouse swings!!! Also used a wedge and a sledgehammer. I have always in years past, let that be his job---but the combination, of me feeling so much more energetic, and me worrying about him overdoing, pushed me to get out there and do my share. Then tonight, we began a light free weight lifting program, DH and I. He used to lift with regularity, but of course couldn't for awhile. We did mostly upper body tonight. Tomorrow my shoulders will feel both the wood chopping and the weights...but I don't think I overdid it. I also got a call, that the man teaching our Tai Chi class is back, so maybe I can begin that....it seemed like it was going to be fun. He had the college call us, when he left suddenly, but there was no explanation, come to find out, his son was injured in Iraq, and he was in Germany, with his family. Anyway, he is going to begin class again on the 22nd.

Oh I know Roberta!!! This woman complains about the music, and the "change stations now" being too loud....and complains if we are all talking too much----it is easier to avoid her, and enjoy my time there!!! Going tomorrow, for weigh and measure---will be a low number this month, but next? Watch out!!! I am ready to get the last of this 45 pounds gone, and begin the TT process.....I still hate looking in the mirror nekkid!!! Clothes, it is getting easier!!!

Boo--I am glad Roberta invited you too!!! I am glad you all have been so wonderful! What in the world would I do without you??? Just tonight on another thread, a girl was asking if it was possible to lose 55 pounds in 6 months---I told her to find her a support group---they keep your spirits and motivation up, and the weight down! I really am glad I have y'all keeping me in line!!!

Susan---please let us know how you are feeling!!

Hope everyone has a great week---good luck in court Julie!!

Kat

[Boo 3]

Kat, I could NEVER swing an axe like that! If I could break my nose wheeling a storage box out of Target, just imagine the damage I could do with an axe! (I'm a bit clumsy) I love to hear about all the things you do for and with your "DH". Sounds like you both are winners! You deserve it after all you endured.

Great idea about tailoring. Why didn't I think of that? I've only had to let clothes OUT (which didn't go very far)...fun to think of taking them IN!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK, EVERYONE! LET'S KICK SOME ______!

[JulieNYC 4]

Kat, that does it, you're going to have to teach me to chop wood. USEFUL exercise -- I dig it.

Roberta, my scale is definitely accurate. I remember my weight from before because I was doing Optifast and being weighed at the doctor's office, as I am now with my band doc. I think the combination of (1) strength training (2) weighing more due to having carried 100 extra lbs than the last time I lost and (3) being 7 years older are probably to "blame." Whatever -- I'll take it, as long as the coat fits!

I'm not doing the Snowflake run in Long Beach -- I'm doing the NYRR run in Central Park. Want to join me?

Boo, do you have another race scheduled?

Bluehill, what's going on with you? What are you up to this week?

My scale skipped 229 AND 228 this morning and landed on 227. I LOVE IT when the scale skips numbers! Wink. Nine more lbs and I leave morbid obesity behind forever!

[DeltaDawn 0]

Hi guys,

I am back. I have just read all your posts and needless to say I am impressed with you all.

I am happy that I kept training all Christmas and ended up losing 3 pounds over the holidays. This was better than I thought I would do (I just wanted not to gain).

I am now really getting into running- I got new shoes in MTL.

I had a beautiful run this a.m. Minus 8 celcius and no wind at 6a.m.... you can't beat that!!!

Glad to be back!!!

Dawn

Banded April 4th, 2006

MTL

[Kat817 19]

Glad to have yo back Dawn---way to go on the holiday loss....I took care of it for you, and gained it!!! It is on it's way out of here again, but I'm not too worried about it right now!!!

I just got back from Curves. Weighed and measured today, I need to update my ticker! I have lost all but one pound of my holiday binge!! And lost 5 more inches!!! YEA!!!!! That puts me over 50 inches lost on this journey---good riddance! My body fat % went down as well, by 3%. Was so much better than I anticipated!!!

C'mon over Julie, and we will chop some wood---I always tell DH that the wood warms me up many times----not just when we burn it! Boo, for some reason my coordination with the wood chopping is better than most other times, I am not named Grace, and it is a good thing!!!

Just wanted to share my good findings at Curves!!!

BBL

Kat